NEIL MCFARLANE, "WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB."

KOIN 6

Published Jan 29, 2014

BUT - HAS HE?!!

NOT AS LONG AS HE KEEPS THIS GUY ON THE PAYROLL

TO BUST THE UNION:

Randy Steadman

Executive Director Labor Relations and Human Resources

$219,883.00 (2015) including bonuses.

(According to 'Rantings' blog.)

In the video, he's being given the 'Jobs With Justice' 2016 Scrooge of the Year Award. He refused to take it so it was placed on his lap...   But what he did do is sit there the entire time and chew on a big 'ol wad 'a gum (open mouthed lip smacking). It was something - click on the video. 

He's a professional Union Buster. He does it for a living. His wife does the same at Port of Portland. Not exactly progressive Oregon's values. 

He advertises, publicly:

PERSONAL ABUSE AND SARCASM HAVE NO PLACE IN REPRIMANDS

Sounds like a good film for Evelyn.

Enjoy:

Office Management: "Discipline: Reprimanding" 1943 US Navy Training Film

TRIMET FILTH

This was our defrost. It was directly over our heads. They couldn't get a HVAC in there to clean it or even filter it. If I remember correctly, one of the Operators was either suspended or terminated for duct taping the vent cover closed. I heard about others who were disciplined as well. 

Most of us worked for years driving these style Buses because they wouldn't upgrade or purchase new ones until recently. 

In 2011, A Portland State University Microbiologist did a study on bugs, germs and other crap inhabiting the Buses. She did it mostly on the passenger areas. No doubt Trimet Management wouldn't allow her to do our area. 

A lotta Operators got sick. One of the guys who used to come in at night, his face all red and you could see he was having a hard time breathing.  He was having to take off work. They wouldn't acknowledge their buses were doing this to us. I assume they were either afraid it was gonna cost them or they just didn't care. I drove for 22 1/2 years - these same buses - often 10 or more hours a day. I'm having breathing issues. So are others. 

One of the vents at Gresham Transit Center

Pier Park Transit Center

When you walked in, there was a long table attached to the wall on the right. Enough room for one person and a microwave. This image is of the area under the table. That's were we were suppose to eat. Some Operators did. Pretty disgusting - the whole building should come down, 

LABOR DAY

TRIMET LIFT TERMINATES DRIVER FOR EMERGENCY BATHROOM STOP

I drove Trimet for 22 1/2 years. You know what one of the worst parts of the job was?

Yep !!! 

No where to relieve yourself

No time to relieve yourself

(if ya gotta go - ya gotta go)

Can't even tell ya how many times I had to beg to use a public restroom somewhere or hide behind a bush or a tree (usually at night) or use a trash can or an empty cup in the back of the bus or use the back door stairs (pre camera days).

It's far worse for women obviously, but there were a few times when I'd relieve a bus and the Operator spaced out his pee jar. It was known and expected - among us,  The powers that be weren't gonna go out of their way to accommodate us. It was a problem the Union used to take on as well. It had to do with the quality and safety of your work and your health.

Most dispatchers would try and work it in but taking the time would still make you run late. Some Operators would end up driving in circles for hours without a break.  Newbies in particular - thinking it would give them brownie points. There simply wasn't enough time in scheduled breaks. Sometimes Operators had to decide between being late all night or not having lunch or dinner and then you got into blood sugar problems. 

It's 'humane 'nature - if ya gotta go ya gotta go. Years ago one of our Operators was killed, run over by her Bus cause she was trying to make a mad dash to the restroom at Sunset TC. She had to go so bad she spaced out the emergency brake and shut the door behind her. 

A lot of Trimet restrooms are filthy holes with bugs and urine. They expect you to eat in there too. 

Both images from Gresham TC  My last few years of driving I'd end up at Pier Park and it was just as gross!!

You're working out there and gotta stay hydrated, particularly in this hot weather. Many Operators won't hydrate in fear of having to make an emergency stop somewhere. Then they start having kidney problems or something else which Trimet fights Workers Comp tooth and nail. During winter ice and snow storms too, if you're stuck somewhere and ya gotta go. You think Trimet's gonna have pity on ya if some asshole sees you and calls it in?  NOPE!!

It's not like we're relieving ourselves out in the open. You make a judgement - no one's on the bus - late night hours - and your bladder's on fire.

(if ya gotta go - ya gotta go)

Click on it to zoom

I removed her picture outta respect. I think she got a raw deal. I hope the Union goes to battle for her and then I hope she sues LIFT Management, personally, for every penny they've got!!